2022 American Family Insurance Championship raises more than $2.2 million for charity

After COVID-related limitations on attendance and associated events in 2021, the PGA Tour Champions American Family Insurance Championship returned in 2022 with no restrictions and raised $2,234,000 for charitable organizations, it was announced today.

This brings the total amount raised for charity to $14,813,000 since the inaugural event in 2016.

Approximately half of the 2022 proceeds will be distributed to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, and 140 other primarily local charities will share the rest in varying amounts. 

The total proceeds raised and charitable organization recipients were revealed at an event today held at American Family Insurance corporate headquarters. The event featured championship host/player Steve Stricker, American Family Insurance CEO and Enterprise President Bill Westrate, American Family Children’s Hospital President Nikki Stafford, representatives from community nonprofit grant recipients, tournament sponsors and volunteers. The celebration of the tournament proceeds results was held in-person for the first time since 2019.

“Every year we are filled with even more gratitude for the amazing support we’ve received for the American Family Insurance Championship,” said Steve and Nicki Stricker. “Six years ago, we believed we had a good idea that would work, but we could’ve never imagined what a fantastic community this event has become – from volunteers to fans to sponsors. And the best part is, year after year we’re helping those in our community who need it most. That’s what we really celebrate today.”  

The sixth American Family Insurance Championship was held in June at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison. Fans from 32 states attended during the three days of tournament play and 925 volunteers from 14 states donated 20,000 hours of time to the event. The local economic impact of the tournament was estimated to be approximately $15 million. Total economic impact from 2016-2022 is estimated at $83 million.

“This is an exciting professional sporting event and so much more – an event that brings our community together for a great cause,” said Bill Westrate, American Family Insurance CEO and enterprise president. “We’re proud to sponsor the American Family Insurance Championship and raise money for nonprofit organizations whose programs and services make life better and more equitable with meaningful impact that lasts far beyond tournament week.”

In addition to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, here is just a sample of the other organizations addressing various needs in our communities and how the grant funds will be used: 

Badger Childhood Cancer Network
The Badger Childhood Cancer Network’s (BCCN) mission is to educate, support, serve and advocate for children with cancer and blood disorders, their families, survivors of childhood cancer and the professionals who care for them. As children and their families navigate their cancer journey, they’re provided with information and resources, emotional support, advocacy, financial assistance, age-appropriate toys, games and activities during lengthy hospital stays, and gifts during the holiday season.

Camp Hometown Heroes
Camp Hometown Heroes is a free week-long overnight summer camp for children and siblings of fallen U.S. Service members that provides a place for children to bond with others who have faced the same loss and also receive grief counseling to positively move forward in their lives.

Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
At the Coalition, they believe every child deserves a champion for love and support and every champion deserves support. Our mission is to inspire, inform and support families to build strength, confidence and resiliency. Their unique programs leverage innovative technologies to offer on-demand learning and resources while still providing compassionate, individualized one-on-one support.

Little John’s Restaurant
The mission of Little John’s Restaurant (LJR) is to increase access to nutritious chef-quality meals through food-rescue and food-excess programs. Working with local grocers and farmers to rescue under-utilized food resources, they turn those items into healthy meals for families. LJR believes that Food is Love and that good food should be available to everyone.

SHARP Literacy
SHARP Literacy offers a wide range of comprehensive STEAM-based programs that encourage curiosity, creativity and discovery while sharpening critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills. SHARP plays a critical role in narrowing the opportunity gap, and ultimately impacting families, communities and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. 

“The commitment of the American Family Insurance Championship to supporting the Madison and the surrounding areas has made it one of the top events on our Tour,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “The charitable efforts of American Family Insurance, Nicki and Steve Stricker and the tournament team have had a remarkable impact in Wisconsin, raising nearly $15 million since 2016. PGA TOUR Champions is proud to be part of an event that does so much for the local community.”

Next year’s event will be held June 3-11, 2023, with special events during the week and tournament play at University Ridge Friday-Sunday, June 9-11. Stricker will host the tournament for the seventh time and play for the sixth time.   

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2023 event can sign up by accessing this link at the volunteer registration page.

See the complete list of 2022 grant recipients

See this infographic for statistics on the AmFam Champ from 2016-2022

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About Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation
Established in 2013 when Steve Stricker became a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, the mission of the foundation is to inspire and develop strong families and healthy kids so they can pursue their dreams. The foundation supports organizations that produce tangible outcomes that align with this mission. Web: https://www.amfam.com/sponsorships/amfamchampionship/foundation; Twitter: @StrickerFNDN

About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised more than $14.8 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2023 championship will be held June 3 -11 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship. #AmFamChamp

Dane Buy Local’s Holiday Shopping Season Kick-Off

Contact: Colin Murray, Executive Director, Dane Buy Local
(608) 729-7342/office • (608) 712-3440/cell • colin@danebuylocal.com • danebuylocal.com

Dane Buy Local’s Holiday Shopping Season Kick-Off
228 East Main St., Downtown Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Monday, November 21 at 11:30 a.m.

Madison, WI – Dane Buy Local Executive Director Colin Murray, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, and Bank of Sun Prairie Senior Vice President Retail John Loeffler join other local business leaders to commemorate Dane Buy Local’s 13th Shop Indie Local campaign. The event highlights Dane Buy Local’s 600 members and the importance of supporting local businesses throughout the holiday season.

“Bank of Sun Prairie is proud to be a presenting sponsor for Shop Indie Local for the third year,” says Chief Retail Officer John Loeffler. “We encourage you to support local, independent businesses. They’re the lifeblood of our communities. They support our local events, nonprofits, school fundraisers and provide services vital to our everyday life.” Loeffler continues, “As Bank of Sun Prairie, a locally owned, independent community bank celebrates our 125^th anniversary, we are thrilled to do our part is supporting this initiative at such an important time of year.”

“Our small businesses are unique and help define Dane County’s culture,” said County Executive Joe Parisi. “By participating in Small Business Saturday and Shop Indie Local, Dane County residents do their part to keep our community vibrant and local economy healthy through the holiday season and beyond.”

Small Business Saturday focuses on local business. Has Small Business Saturday made a difference?

  U.S. shoppers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reported spending a record high total of an estimated $23.3 billion, up from $19.8 in 2020.

  66% reported that the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long.

  Online shopping at a small business on Small Business Saturday was up slightly, with 58% of shoppers reporting that they made a purchase online, compared to 56% in 2020 and 43% in 2019.

  More shoppers were eager to support independent restaurants with 54% reporting they dined or ordered takeout from a small restaurant, bar, or café, up from 48% in 2020.

  70% of respondents reported Small Business Saturday makes them want to encourage others to shop at small, independently owned retailers.

“Small Business Saturday is the perfect time to look for holiday gifts for loved ones or yourself while supporting local businesses,” says Colin Murray, Executive Director for Dane Buy Local. “When you spend your dollars at locally owned retail businesses rather than a chain store, more money returns to the local economy.”

According to Civic Economics, when you spend a dollar at an independent business, approximately 47 cents return to the local economy. When spent at a chain store, only 14 cents return. Spent at an online giant, only a few pennies return. The 47 cents also recirculate through the local economy, generating a ripple effect that strengthens jobs, charitable contributions, and community prosperity.

Shop Indie Local activites go through December, including The Passport Program (November 1-December 18), Plaid Friday (November 25), Small Business Saturday (November 26), Artist Sunday (November 27), Local Cyber Monday (November 28), and Giving Tuesday (November 29), Shopping Local (all year long).

For more information, contact Colin Murray at colin@danebuylocal.com or (608) 712-3440, or visit danebuylocal.com.

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Total Awards & Promotions: The Nationwide Trophy Recycling Program is looking for volunteers

Total Awards & Promotions in Madison, Wisconsin has been recycling trophies for over 30 years. The program went nationwide in 2007 where it has been giving FREE rebuilt trophies to 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the country.

During Covid, when people were at home cleaning their attics and basements, the trophies came in by the thousands, filling up all the extra space they had. They needed to make it into a nonprofit and move it into a space where volunteers could come in and recycle.

The new space for the non-profit is at 6670 Odana Rd. in Market Square. And they are in great need of volunteers to help open the boxes, recycle the parts and make new trophies to donate back to non profits.

If you know of anyone in your organization that is interested in Paying it Forward to nonprofits around the country by volunteering to recycle, please contact Janet at Total Awards & Promotions 608-833-1716 or totalawards@gmail.com.

Support Sustain Dane’s Year-End Giving Campaign

Support Sustain Dane through our 2022 Year-End Giving Campaign. With your help, we are making a powerful impact in the sustainability and climate movement.

Your support makes this possible.  Sustain Dane’s work amplifies sustainable actions in the workplace, at home, in schools and throughout the community. Please consider donating to Sustain Dane today to accelerate equity and sustainable actions for community well-being.  

Donate here

Telisa Yancy named president of American Family Group

Yancy, president of American Family Direct, begins the new position on Jan. 1, 2023

Telisa Yancy, president of American Family Insurance Direct, has been named president of the American Family Insurance Group of companies. Yancy’s appointment reflects the organization’s ongoing focus on growth, innovation and customer preference.

This position was previously held by CEO and President Bill Westrate who succeeded Jack Salzwedel upon Salzwedel’s retirement at the end of 2021. Naming Yancy to this position is a return a structure the company has had before. Westrate served as president beginning in 2017, before moving into the CEO role in 2022.

Yancy joined the organization as a marketing director in 2009, leading a major rebranding effort for American Family Insurance and subsequently becoming Marketing Vice President and then Chief Marketing Officer. In 2019, Yancy was named Chief Operating Officer, and in 2021, she became president of the organization’s direct sales channels, which include insurance companies CONNECT, Homesite and The General.

Yancy has been recognized for her leadership skills, marketing expertise and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. These honors include a Silver EFFIE, Ebony Magazine Power 100, AdAge Woman to Watch, GlobalMindeED Inclusive Leader Award and multiple inclusions in Savoy Magazine’s most influential Black Executives. She serves on the boards of directors for National Public Radio and Deluxe Corp. Yancy is a graduate of the University of Illinois and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business.

Yancy brings her vast experience to this new role, in which she will oversee the group’s direct and agency business operations. In addition to the direct sales companies, American Family Group includes American Family Insurance and Main Street America Insurance which sell and service products through exclusive and independent agency owners, respectively.

“Telisa’s strong focus on evolving customer preferences, combined with her broad and deep organizational experience, position her to lead operations across the diverse American Family Insurance Group,” said Westrate. “She’s built strong relationships with our agency owners and distribution partners, and has clearly demonstrated the flexibility, resilience and innovative thinking needed to lead during an ever-changing business and economic landscape.”

Yancy’s new role will begin Jan. 1, 2023. Westrate will remain CEO.

About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 251 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,000 employees nationwide.